FEAR
• Gain vs. Pain – If the thought of giving a group presentation fills you with doubt and fear, change your focus. Think about what you’ll gain from this experience: prestige, respect, promotion, new clients.
• Audience vs. You – The only reason you’re giving a presentation is because you have valuable information. Focus on how you can help your audience, not on how you think they will respond to you. It’s not about you, it’s about the people looking to you for information, advice or a solution.
NERVOUSNESS
• Butterflies – If your stomach is overrun with butterflies before a presentation, give them a new name. Think of the butterflies as the adrenaline rush you need to wow your audience. Your body is getting you pumped up for a great performance.
• Enthusiasm – Don’t tell yourself you’re nervous. Tell yourself that you’re excited. Rename your nervous energy and call it ENTHUSIASM!
FORGETFULNESS
• Pause – If you have a brain freeze during a presentation, pause, glance at your notes and remember, no one knows every word you wanted to say!
• Adjust – You’ve just forgotten a key point. Don’t apologize to the audience, make a quick recovery and move on. If you remember the point later, just insert it then. You can adjust like this, “There’s one more thing I want to add…” Forgetting is not a felony. It’s not even a crime!
For more ways to overcome fear, nerves or memory lapses, like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BetterSpeakingSkills/)
